Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year! We'll be open regular hours New Years Eve and 9-7 New Years Day. I know it's been a rough week without Pliny. Not to worry, we're getting a nice size order on Tuesday. Here are some noteworthy items that came in this week:

The majority of the Firestone 13th Anniversary went to OTM Beer Club Members. In regards to limited special releases, it pays to be in the beer club. Membership fee costs are $25.00 for the year. Not only do you get first dibs on special releases, but you also receive 5% off on any beer, anytime. To become a member, you must sign up in the store.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I thought I'd get a little break from beer events this week, but when you get an exclusive invitation to try the world's strongest beer, you jump at the chance. Samuel Adams is releasing Utopias this month and are holding private dinners pairing some of their great beers with specific dishes. Last night the event I attended was held at Urban Solace on 30th St in North Park. I was treated to an amazing four course meal prepared by Chef Matt Gordon. Highlight of the evening was the after dinner tasting, which included a 1994 Samuel Adams Triple Bock and the 2009 Utopias. Utopias shattered the world record for highest alcohol content with a 27% abv. Is it sherry, is it port, is it cognac, or is it beer? My palate could have been easily fooled. A great experience and a big thanks to the Samuel Adams crew and everyone at Urban Solace.

Monday, November 16, 2009

My last event for Beer Week was the Firestone Walker 13th Anniversary release party at Stone Brewery. Thanks to Shane, I was lucky enough to taste a nice vertical of the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th. Amazing beers. Look for the 13th Anniversary sometime this week.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Scene from the World Beat Center in Balboa Park. A great way to kick off Beer Week. Highlights for me were, Lost Abbey Sinners Blend 2009 and AleSmith Speedway Stout 2003. More amazing events throughout the week.Digging in the beer vault for some aged Christmas Beers. Will post my list in the next couple of days.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The most hyped beer release of the year was this past Tuesday at "The Bruery" in Placentia California. Black Tuesday has been climbing the ranks of top beers in the world on many web sites. The picture I took of the line was where I stood for over three hours. I tried to snag more than the 3 bottle limit but with the incredible turnout, I was lucky to purchase 3. There was a good vibe in the tasting room and I thought the staff did an amazing job of handling the crowd. This was their first big release so it was sort of a learning experience. I'm sure they'll alter a few things, like having a seperate line for people who want to just purchase bottles and don't want to go into the tasting room. Seems like we were waiting for people in the tasting room to finish up their samples. Thats 300 something people. My first sip of Black Tuesday and Chocolate Rain made me forget about how long I waited in line. World Class Beers. A big thanks goes out to The Bruery. Here's whats new on our shelf:

Monday, October 12, 2009

I was fortunate enough to be able to try this amazing beer last Friday at Downtown Johnny Browns. Patrick generously poured me a sample of this intense Imperial Stout. Jet black color with a dark tan head. Head stood in place long after the pour. A great nose. Oak, bourbon, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and dark fruits. Could have just inhaled this all night. The taste? My palate has been thanking me ever since. Very complex flavors going on here. Everything I said from the nose. Perfectly balanced with a sweet, smooth, warm finish. Big and sticky mouthfeel. At a whopping 19.5% abv, the alcohol is very well hidden. I'm a big Port fan. I could see myself popping one of these on Christmas Eve rather than my traditional Taylor 20 Year Old Tawney. Time to start a new tradition. At this time Black Tuesday will not hit the Olive Tree shelves. This is a brewery release only. Hope to see you there. 99 and a half out of 100.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Hitachino Nest - Espresso Stout -11.2 fl.ozSamuel Adams - October Fest - 12oz six pkAle Smith - Anvil Ale ESB - 22ozBootleggers Brewery - Black Phoniex - 22ozInteresting beer, to say the least. Dark brown color with a tan head that thins out leaving tinny bubbles around the rim. Coffee and chocolate aromas on the nose. The chipotle seemed to be released as the beer warmed up. On the front, coffee and chocolate dominate as does roasted malt. The pepper presence really comes through on the finish. Half way through my glasss, the heat really seemed to intensify. I thought it had a medium mouthfeel for a stout. Nice carbonation. Love the fact that brewers are taking many risks these days. This worked and I'm looking foward to many more ventures from Bootlegger's Brewery. 85 of of 100

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Just had to point out how much I enjoyed my growler of Alpine Duet. I hope one day they bottle this and you'll be able to find it on our shelves. Poured a nice big fluffy head. Nice clean, clear amber color. Aromas of citrus come off. Pineapple and grapefruit dominate for me. Some pine and malt as it warmed up. Taste was just like the smell. Citrus and pine. Medium, sticky body. Left a nice lace on my Port Brewery mug. 92 out of 100.

Mikkeller - Beer Geek Breakfast 500mlImperial Stout - 7.50%DenmarkI guess it's never too hot for a Imperial Stout in my house. Poured this into my Chimay glass. Dark brown with a creamy light brown head. Scents of chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts. Like the nose, coffee and chocolate on the forefront. Medium to full body. Easy drinking with the 7.5% abv. I think I could have this with pancakes. 90 out of 100.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Russian River - Temptation - 750mlAmerican Wild Ale - 7.25%Santa Rosa, California, U.SThe wait is over. Temptation batch 4 has finally hit my lips. Poured a shinny golden color with a sizable white head. Great aromas coming off this. Lemon is very pronounced and oak lingers. I could sense the "brett". I enjoyed just breathing this in. More tart, citrus flavors on the palate, along with french oak. Very light mouthfeel and alcohol is very well hidden. A little young right now, but should improve with age. I'll be stuffing a few away. Stone/Brewdog/Cambridge - 12ozImperial Pilsner - 10%Escondido, California, U.S

Friday, July 17, 2009

Deschutes Brewery - Black Butte XXI - 1pt.9.4flAmerican Porter - 11.00%Oregon, U.SWow. This is one amazing beer. Chocolate and coffee battling it out. I got more chocolate on the front end and coffee on the back. Has a nice warmth to it from the 11.00% abv. This is supposed to get better? 98 out of 100. Might kick it up 2 points in a year. Will see.

Caldera - I.P.A - 12 canAmerican I.P.A - 6.10%Oregon, U.SNice little I.P.A in a can. I recommend pouring into a pint glass. You'll want to release those citrus flavors. Gives a great hop kick on the finish. Perfect for sipping by the pool. 85 out of 100.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Bruery - Trade Winds - 750mlTriple - 8.10%Orange County, U.SInteresting take on this style. Hazy, orange color with a medium size, off white head. Nice retention along with noticeable lacing. Very aromatic. Loved just breathing this in. Yeasty bread aromas along with spices, floral notes, and basil. Flavors of yeast, citrus, thai basil, with a finish of light hops. Nice and creamy with a lively mouthfeel. Recommended. 90 out of 100.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Dogfish Head - Festina Peche - 12ozBerliner Weissbier - 4.50%Delaware, U.SReally enjoying this style. I prefer the 1809, but I would never turn this down. Cloudy, pale yellow color. Getting whiffs of peach, wheat, and tartness. Nice zesty flavors of lemon and tartness of peach on the palate. A good amount of acidity. Very light and refreshing. Great for a summer afternoon. 88 out of 100. Recommended

Lagunitas - A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale - 12oz 6pksAmerican Pale Wheat Ale - 7.3%Petaluma, California, U.SBurned through a lot of cases of Sumpin' last week. More than I would have liked because I didn't get to try it. Well stocked this week. Will have a session with this over the weekend.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Deschutes Brewery - Green Lakes Organic Ale - 12oz six packsAmerican Amber - 5%Oregon, U.SI've had a few organic beers in my day. Mostly samples from reps. Wouldn't go out of my way to buy organic beer, but Green Lakes from Deschutes is quite tasty. It poured a radiant orange-reddish color. Great aromas of malt and hops. Tasty flavors of toasted bread and caramel along with plenty of hops and malt. Medium body mouthfeel. Very smooth and drinkable. This isn't just a good organic beer, it's a good beer all around.86 out of 100.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Rodenbach - Grand Cru - 750mlFlander Red Ale - 6%BelgiumThis finally made it's way back to the Olive Tree. Dark reddish amber color. Small head that dissipates quickly leaving a nice film around the outer edge of the rim. Slight vinegar on the nose along with dark cherries and some wood. On the palate, dark cherries, currents, vinegar and oak. Lovely tart finish. At 6% and bottle cost at $9.69 I could drink this all day. Welcome back Rodenbach.